Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Didn’t understand all the words but enjoyed the vibe.
Con sorpresas agradables
Well produced, and David is a great singer. But for me, the full album ultimately feels a bit bland and same-y
3 or 4... Not my taste but I see why some people get excited by it. 3?
Basically forgot this guy existed. 1st track was probably my favorite. The recording of the vocals from Silver Lining sounds grating, I don’t know if this was just Spotify being a bitch but I had to turn that song wayyy down to deal with it. It’s a good album, but not great. Might revisit a couple tracks but doubtful I’d give the whole album a spin.
This is an interesting one, it's like a '90s soft rock thing, but with an unexpected amount of electronic beats (mixed in with traditional acoustic guitars and piano and whatnot). It's very much "man with guitar bares his soul", but with a bit of an electronic twist. I got a bit of a Tracy Chapman vibe at times (but worse); a better comparison is probably like James Blunt or less pop version of Ed Sheeran. Overall it's not terrible, but also not particularly interesting for the most part. There are some enjoyable moments though, "Babylon" is a great song, "This Year's Love" is a solid ballad, and there's a few other nice tracks throughout. Probably closer to a 3.5, but leaning towards rounding down. Favorite song: Bablyon Other: Please Forgive Me, We're Not Right, Nightblindness, Silver Lining, This Year's Love, Sail Away, Say Hello Wave Goodbye 9/11/24
Easy listening and enjoyable. Light rock and folk style. White Ladder and Say Hello, Wave Goodbye were my two favorite tracks.
While I liked this album I think he gets way too complicated in later stuff.
Bland album, bland review, bland score.
Listened to this album so much back in the late 90s early 2000s that when I saw it pop up, it was the first one I’ve had which I thought I really don’t want to listen to this again! It deserves it’s place in time but for me I don’t need to hear it again I’m done!
Stalls after the first track but finds momentum again by the end. Favourite track: Please Forgive Me.
So smooth, so aughty
Familiar with several songs but I don’t love them
It’s ok
Not bad, sounds familiar
Great start with please forgive me and babylon. They really remind me of the early 00's. This years love and sail away are also good tunes. The rest of the album if very soft rock. Not bad for background music but its not something i would go back to often. i would probaby give it a 3.5 but this album had more songs i enjoyed compared to some other albums ive given a 3.
Some neat songs but gets boring.
very ok
I know "Babylon and Please Forgive me" from early 2000s radio. Always wondered why that was the extent of my exposure to David Gray considering how huge those two songs were. Well after listening to the entire album, I understand why. It's like he wrote those two songs for a different album. The rest of the album mediocre singer/songwriter coffee house music.
Really enjoyed nightblind
hmm have even heard of David Gray?? I don't think so. I guess his voice is a little familiar. Oh I've heard Babylon. This album has kind of put me in a lul mood. It's been okay but I don't really think it's getting more than 3 stars.
Great if you're in a depressive state. I would've been all over this in high school if it was on my radar. Now, I prefer something more upbeat, but it doesn't diminish the music. Gray's voice is pretty grating, however - something very whiny about it.
Another period-piece that's an immediate throwback to a simpler time. It's nice, nostalgic, but still just too mid-tempo and unexciting overall to make it last the full 50+ minutes. Could really have used fewer drum machine / guitar loops. Let these songs breathe a little more and it would be really something. The best songs are really nice ("Babylon" "Sail Away") and are absolutely worthwhile even though....yeah, they're also mid-tempo safe-ish songs. Nothing wrong with a little of that from time to time and in this case the nostalgia is welcomed - i.e. I can't imagine I'd be in the mood to pick this album out of the blue but it'll always bring back good memories so that's worth something, innit? 6/10 3 stars.
Enjoyed it initially, but it faded into the background at some point. Not sure I'd seek any of the songs out again, but if they were played within earshot, then I'd not raise a fuss.
Hmmm... kinda non-offensive but also not really my thing. Not bad!!! Just not wow - one recognizable song on there that I enjoyed but sort of a confusing beat paired with the vocals which could be cool but i dont really feel like it worked. On the other hand I really love the album cover, its really cool and sort of sick for 1998
Average. Babylon is a good time. Thought there were some weird, unnecessary touches added throughout and got a bit repetitive on the back half Probably won’t listen again and wouldn’t be interested in seeing this guy live. Kinda mid as the kids say.
Everybody wants to be some flavor of Bob Dylan. David Gray wants to be Acoustic Techno Bob Dylan.
Not bad to listen to but nothing that stands out to me.
Sounds like every motorway journey in the early 2000s on an overcast Sunday so gets some nostalgia points
Another nice surprise
Pachangeueo musical
Mediocre vocal some nice words
Thoroughly pleasant (would have been a 4, but can't rid myself of the image of David's wobbling head)
Please Forgive Me Babylon This Year's Love Say Hello, Wave Goodbye
Michael buble? Sad, alty rock, indie, & some keys in there. It’s got love ballads, it’s sad, a lot of it is very OK but some of it deeply emotional and brilliant. I wouldn’t say I thoroughly enjoyed it but what parts i did enjoy I enjoyed thoroughly. This year’s love is officially my new fav sad song
Hmm. So David Gray is the name of the guy who sings Babylon. Go figure. This record was okay. idk. Was there groundbreaking ideas in here? Not sure. It's makes me feel a little TOO MUCH like I'm shopping at the mall but not terrible.
Enjoyed this album at the time, but haven't listened to it for years. In hindsight, outwith the main singles there are a couple of good songs here, "My Oh My" and a good cover of "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye", but a lot of it is pretty dull sounding now.
bellino, e ho letto da qualche parte che ha spianato la strada per artisti come James Blunt ed Ed Sheeran, ma per me, senza infamia e senza lode. a tratti un po’ piattino.
Penso sia una delle cose più etero che io abbia mai sentito (e parola da persona etero). È che alla fine le canzoni sono anche carine, ma è tutto un po’… mid? Tranne l’ultima canzone, quella non mi è piaciuta un granché. Sarebbe un 2.5/5, ma darò 3/5 perché mi sento buona :)
Nice enough album, but nothing too exciting. Will always love Babylon though Coffee shop music 3 ⭐️
"Babylon" is the standout track. Good though uniformly sad songs with a touch of electronica.
A true visionary in the "Background music for your coworker's vacation slideshow" genre. Paved the way for some of the worst shit you've ever heard in your entire life, but in itself, it's actually pretty good. Goes on for forever though. That final song felt like it was 20 minutes long.
Don’t think Bee Gees are my thing but the album did grow on me a bit
Pretty good stuff. 3.5.
It was fine.
boring
Jotenkin tällainenkin on alkanut minuun uppoamaan. En jaksanut sanoja sen kummemmin kuunnella mutta taustalla meni oikeinen kivasti. 3/5
Varsin kiinnostava pala pop-musiikin historiaa ja toimii minusta ihan hyvin edelleen.
Quite a few more good tracks than I remembered
I dont't fully get all the fuss. It's a good album, full of good composiotions. Gray's voice reminds me of Robbie Williams. But there is no spark for me.
Has a couple of standout tracks, but feels like a bit of filler as well these days. Liked it more back in the day.
Recognized the "Please Forgive Me" and "Babylon" song from my childhood but had no idea who sang it. Would I seek out this album, probably not, but listening to it was a nice blast from the past. Feels like this would probably be the answer to an obscure trivia question one day, one that you kick yourself for knowing the song but not knowing anything about it.
Solid 90s Brit pop, doesn’t age as well as Wings..
Very 90s AOR. Generally mid.
Another first for me, I've never heard of David Gray before this listen. I have to say though, this may be one of the most uneventful listens so far. There were some decent songs here and I was pretty excited after the initial folk and electronic fusion opener "Please Forgive Me". Unfortunately, a lot of the album isn't anywhere near as interesting as that opener, instrumentally at least. With that said, I still largely enjoyed this album, I just don't think it did anything special for me. The acoustic-driven singer-songwriter songs may not have been my favorite here, but there were some highlights. I enjoyed the song "Nightblindness" quite a lot, it has one of the more intriguing choruses here, which paints a dreadful image of the uncertain future of a diminishing relationship. Oddly enough, I don't think it's a part of the actual tracklisting, but still thought I should mention it. The song "The Year's Love" is a great piano ballad. I'm not sure why, but the vocal performance on this song sounds very much ahead of its time, it feels like something that's been replicated by many poppier singer-songwriters in the 2010s and 2020s. Maybe it's the mildly guttural and raspy vocal performance or the nature of the melody itself. Still really loved it though. My favorite song on this album has to be "Sail Away". It's a more straightforward track structurally speaking, with a piano driving the song here, but it's David's vocal performance that sells this one for me. It's a very strong performance with a killer lead melody. Not much to say for this one, was pretty easy listening. David Gray's a solid writer and a really good singer, but I think a lot of the songs, especially near the middle, left a lot to be desired as just songs. With that said, I'll admit that this album may very well grow on me in the future, maybe I'll grow to appreciate and understand its more straightforward and subtle approach. I do think there are some incredible songs here.
I thought this was a pretty decent pop/soft rock album. Gray is a good singer, the lyrics aren’t half bad and he has that 90s style that kind of wains like he wanted to be in Creed or STP. Of course it was British and I never heard of the guy before but I can imagine it was popular for a little bit in the 90s. This was decent and I’d revisit some of it. 6.6/10
No lo conocía. Empieza muy bien. La verdad es que parece que inventó la música "child" que se vende ahora como churros. A la mitad se me ha hecho repetitivo, pero entiendo que ha sido el referente para mucha gente que ha venido después: James Blunt, Ed Sheeran, George Ezra, James Bay ... vamos los que pone en la Wikipedia y te vienen a la mente sin pensarlo mucho otros más: Ben Howard, Passenger, ...
Eh, pretty generic and uninteresting
I bet this guy thinks the sun only shines when he goes outside. Music was mid.
Oh man, opening track was such a dad car song so that brings me back. But also makes it hard to take this seriously. It’s decent, kind of Elton John mixed with Tracy Chapman. High 3.
Kind of a less popy cold play. some nice soft stuff on here and I liked it for the most part
This was fine. It had some nice moments but I feel no need to listen again.
This is the background of a 1990’s coffee shop, pleasant but not memorable
Kinda boring. He sounds like a dozen other people.
I liked the first few songs but got tired of this album quickly.
Some of these were pretty good. I'm surprised I haven't heard any of these songs. 3.4.
This album reminded me of background music id hear at a grocery store. Perfectly inoffensive and unremarkable.
Not bad.
I wasn’t excited about this one. BUT I ended up liking a lot of it. The beginning and end of the album were really good with some bright spots! The middle was terrible and the song “White Ladder” was incomprehensible. 3/5
Kinda nice. Kinda bland. Kinda engaging. Sweet. Vulnerable. Listened a few times. Enjoyed the Wikipedia page. May listen again. Nice.
It's not bad at all but feels a little generic. I think nostalgia is a big factor for people who rated it higher, but I've never heard of it before and I'd rather listen to Damien Rice
3.5, powerful vocals. Feel like it initially incorporates more electronic tones but gradually shifts to more traditional folk style singing with a guitar.
Music snobs will tell you that there are certain people who will only buy one album a year. Music executives spend their lifetime trying to discover which record those people that only buy one record a year will buy. In 1998 that record was White Ladder by David Gray.
pretty good overall
It was nice. "Babylon" is by far the worst track.
There are some gems on this album (Babylon, This Years Love, Say Hello, Wave Goodbye) but it’s nothing extraordinary
Vind de bas en drums echt chill
Please forgive me oli oikein hyvä aloitus, ja muutenkin tykkäsin a-puolesta yllättävän paljon. Loppupuoli menikin sitten hymistelyksi, David ei keksinyt mitään uutta. Kelpo milleniumin popia, käsintehty tunnelma eli tekijän tunne kuului vetoavasti. Mutta tosiaan lopulta tylsä. Muihin kakkosiini verrattuna silti ehdoton kolmonen.
Pretty boring. I remember that Babylon song though. It's gonna be a 3/5 for me. I wouldn't mind listening to this but I would never seek it out. The production doesn't hold up. Probably was pretty innovative at the time, the synth and samplers behind standard acoustic singer-songwriter, but feels pretty dated and sterile now. I love Nick Drake, John Martyn, Joni Mitchell... maybe Ben Howard for a more modern take... this is kind of luke warm in comparison. My favorite is probably the Soft Cell cover... though Sail Away is also growing on me.
The first song with the trip hop-esque drum machine and classic singer/songwriter piano had me thinking this was going to be incredible but after that I didn’t think it was all that noteworthy
Idk why but “we’re not right” really annoyed me. Other than that i thought the album was fine. A lot of comments seem to dislike the album. i didn’t find anything wrong with it besides being a little slow at some points. Some songs were giving Ryan Adams
Classic music to listen to in an early 2000's rom com
A little dull
This makes me want to experience heartbreak. Brb, divorcing my wife
it was OK
Rock, Pop, Altern., 1998 soft -> 3
I recognized David Gray from the first tune, but couldn't place the voice and vibe until Babylon played, and while I knew the song, I couldn't figure how I knew it — it had somehow entered my psyche likely at the time of its release. It's a great tune, and while the rest of the album set a nice mood, I couldn't help feel like it didn't really go anywhere. Seems like this album resonated with a rabid group of fans, and while I enjoyed it, I can't say it made a fan of me on the first listen. So, maybe short shrift for a landmark album for the artist, but I didn't get thrilled enough to get past a 3-star rating.
Just kind of bland
I liked this when it first came out. Listening back, it's nostalgic but also there are only a few tracks I like and would choose to listen to.
ekki ónotalegt píanóglamur. nokkur fínustu lög en önnur síðri. 3,5.
The sound of every early 2000s London coffee shop. Inoffensive. Wonder where he is now. I'm assuming he makes kimchi or something.
He got a lot of traction out of this album. The songs with the electronic elements really feel like the late 90’s/early 2000’s, but otherwise, it’s standard singer/songwriter stuff. I liked it better back when it came out then I did this time around. 3.0
I like the more electronic sounding ones. The rest is decent too. Surprising how popular it remained in the UK. Singer/Songwriter doesn't do much for me these days, but it's pretty fresh for being 25 years old. 3.4
It was a pleasant listen 3
3+
Put on a list of songs that a guy would randomly play at a party if handed a guitar /if there was a piano. Fav son Sail Away
Maybe this is generous? Fell asleep listening!
Perfect quiet mellow time.
Ok
Really cute. Wouldn’t listen to it again. But a good 7/10
Pleasantly surprised 😯 I enjoyed this. 3.5
Nice but not outstanding.
Meh! I don't see what all the fuss is about? His cover of Soft Cell's "Say Hello Wave Goodbye" feels too slow.
Virkelig positivt overrasket over det her album. Tror åbningsnummeret var med i scrubs
2000s male singer songwriter. It was like some of the early songs were over produced with cool beats to make them sound a bit modern. This just dated the album. It fell into James blunt territory at times but overs it wasn’t bad.
it makes me feel blue
Chill, soulful, and modern
More MoR, albeit quite good.
3.5 staan paar nice tunes op feelme, in t herfst zonnetje op een bankie type
pretty chill ngl
Some interesting concepts here, but they can’t make up for an overall snooze fest. It isn’t that bad, but it is difficult to remain excited. A vibe of relaxation is fine, but if you stretch it out over the entire album, you might put your listeners to sleep. Production, instrumentation, arrangements, vocals, and lyrics are all good. Enjoyed it, only wished there was more energy here. 3/5
This is kind of a meh singer song writer type album. It just felt extremely vanilla. Once it was over I couldn't remember a single song. Not even boring or anything. White Ladder is the equivalent of eating Saltine Crackers. It's probably the most 3 star album I've ever heard.
Pleasant enough. Average.
Some really good songs.
Kind of liked it. I dont get the hate.
I used to think people who loved David Gray were a bit dull but this album was quite sweet in its own way (and also a bit dull)
Very "of the times" and a bit one-dimensional but I like his voice and the music was pleasant!
first listen a little slow for me
3/5 Best: Silver Lining Worst: Say Hello, Wave Goodbye
Listened Before? N Mellow, nice, quiet. I've always liked Babylon, and I like this album. I'm not going to write home about it but it was good. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Babylon
Back, background all right
Pretty 90s sounding stuff. Can't say I am a fan.
Un album bien conçu, mais c'est un peu moins mon style. Je n'ai pas trouvé ça mauvais, mais rien de cet album m'a fait un wow au point de "je devais écouter ça avant de mourir". Peut-être je ne suis pas assez fan du folktronica. 6/10
Couple of bangers
Effortless and smooth. I like the idea that he's taken the cash and fucked off from this, though.
Le David Pujadas des albums
Best Song: Please Forgive Me. That upbeat and running rhythm in the background gives a nice energy to this song, but sadly set an expectation that the rest of the album didn't uphold. Worst Song: This Year's Love. Romantically comatose. Overall: It's not bad, but it definitely feels like a sort of budget Bob Dylan. He's got a cleaner singing voice, but nothing near the writing chops. The album also gets really sleepy in the latter half.
Just an overall average album.
Boy, hearing Babylon and Sail Away out me right back in Woods Hole, 1999, at ten years old. That deserves a star on its own. so very 90s but in a good way. Fun to rediscover.
This is extremely easy listening. Pleasant melodies and no real surprises. Enjoyable at first, but as the tack listing goes on, you start to wonder whether there is any actual substance beneath the digital drums and the loop pedal. I honestly don't know. 'Babylon' is great though.
White Ladder really starts out strong. Especially the very late 90’s sounding “Babylon” is a truly fantastic song. I understand why this inspired a lot of British artists in the early to mid 2000’s. The rest of the album is not as strong as the opening and at times I feel as if it’s just background music. I enjoyed it and never once got actually bored. Also - did anybody tell Bono that a man from Cheshire recorded the best selling album Ireland of all time? Anyone?
Perfect for moms baking cookies during the workday
I think this was a great album. Didn’t have any issues with any particular song or anything. This simply isn’t a form of music that I care for. No song was bad, yet I didn’t really care for any particular song. I think it was musically solid album, but it would probably be nothing more than great background music for me
One of those albums everyone had Ann’s knew at the time, for that reason deserves to be on the list. Musically it’s a bit dull though.
it was fine, so tasteful though
uem
Easy listening
The firm grip this record applied to my attention with its opening track, regrettably, loosened with each subsequent song.
Eh. It's alright, I guess. The lyricism is on point but the songs themselves are decidedly snooze-worthy. I liked "This Year's Love" though.
Yeah, pleasant enough. It's always weird to hear a song that was popular growing up, but that I completely forgot about (Babylon)
It's fine
Pleasant but at the same time it’s too strongly associated in my head with noughties London bankers with beemers singing obnoxiously to some of the singles. That said on an objective level - a bunch of very good songs, a nice version of Say Hello, Wave Goodbye - and an overall well paced album - only true fault is David Gray’s voice becomes a bit too grating at times since it’s a bit on the particular side. Overall a good record but can’t get past my prejudices.
Took me back to my youth. It’s a pleasant enough album.
Apparently DGs success meant Ed Shearan could emerge. So thanks for that! I dismissed this when it came out as a bit populist (I am a Snob) but its ok. Hus voice is decent and there is gome guile in tbe songwriting.
Interesting album. Has the slow jam vibes that I assumed, and the wedding hits that Ive played plenty of times, but there are some tracks on here that genre jump. There's a few electronic beats, and the production is quite nice, very fitting for the vibes. I can see why it's such a liked album. That said, not sure if I'd be in a hurry to listen again. Will give it credit though for being interesting
I recognize the first song, Please Forgive Me, from a TV show. Maybe it was an episode of Scrubs. I also recognize Babylon. Honestly there were a couple songs that were good, but it was mostly boring. I will give it another chance at a future date though, because one of my co-workers is a huge fan.
This album isn't on the list because it's a fantastic album, though many do love it. It does not speak to me personally, but this album should be heard because it really came out in 1998. This sound and the whole British "emotional singer-songwriter" did not feel as played-out as it does now. "Babylon" is a great track and there are other really good tracks on this album. For those who don't like the sound, this album is like nails on a chalkboard or something that helps lull them to sleep. It cannot be denied this album is the forebearer to many popular and top-selling artists' albums.
Pretty good.
3?
Oh wow. There was a time that this album was on regular rotation in my MP3 library. I think that hard drive failed, or something, and the collection was lost. In that instant it's as if this album completely disappeared from the face of the earth. That is until 1001 brought it back into existence.
started out pretty strong but kinda petered out
How about that, a singer-songwriter album that doesn't sound like a pretentious dickhead moaning while playing a single guitar. This album was worth my time with well-arranged instrumentals. Favorite track: We're Not Right
Kinda boring
Solid album. Good voice and carried by the proper sound releases. 'Please Forgive Me' is a cracker and 'This Years Love' is a song I dont think he can top. Just a lovely song with the simple piano, the hook, the bridge and the slow strings in the background. That song alone brings it up a star
This album did not offend my ears but it didn't interest them either. If I had to sum it up in a word, I would say unremarkable.
3.5!
not bad
It's actually pretty wild to think that this was released 25 years ago. It's wilder to think how fantastically successful it was. I listen to it now, for the first time in 20 years or so, and I can't say that it's a good album. Far from it. It's a feelgoodish album. I mean, it's David Gray - you're never going to feel good listening to it, it's sad white boy music. But some of the tracks have a familiar, goodish feeling about them. Like, you know that maybe it isn't all that bad out there, you know. At least you're not listening to a David Gray album or something... Ah, fuck. You're listening to a David Gray album aren't you? It must be that bad. Sad white boy music is sad white boy music. There is a vague twang of optimism to it though - not quite sure I can quite define it, because I can't really describe the vague twang of optimism there was generally in the late 90s. It is very, very much of its time. I don't think there's a place for it in the mid-2020s, but it's not as objectively bad as many reviews make out.
started strong but fell off
Siisti paketti. Hyviä elementtejä
Meh. I guess it’s good but just a little sad
Ye
Quite nice
Liked #8 This Year's Love
Not for me, but huge album on Irish market
Seems racist that a white man would make an album called white ladder. Seems like a corollary to corporate America and the fact that for women and minorities in the workplace there is a glass ceiling that prevents individuals from reaching their true potential while others have a proverbial white ladder to the top. As a white man going into corporate America, I not very offended by the title. Not to mention the song Babylon brought back happy memories from my childhood that I forgot existed. However, the overall album lacked a certain shebang. 2 stars for overall album, bonus star for the nostalgia.
Wait I recognize this album, sail away always found its way onto my playlists but also was always a song I found myself skipping. So idk what that bodes for this album. Here's the thing, I'm at the second song and I already know how this story goes. The songs are good, but it's not something I'll come back to. It's the music you would hear in the background at the white person barbeque, but those damn blacks having their cookout 50 yards to the right of you in the park are blasting their music and the Mexicans 100 yards behind you are seemingly building a chipotle and playing music from mos eisley taqueria just loud enough to make you wonder what happened to the neighborhood park. Solid 6.5 out of 10, screw this rating system, I'm calling for quarter stars now.
Very good. I’d prolly give it a 3.5 if I could, but I’m forced to subject it to a 3. I liked it a lot, but it’s not really sticking with me. I’ll listen more and see if it deserves the bump to 4. Update: na, stuck at a free. Sorry love.
Listenable. Can only take so much of his voice.
not for me but see the appeal
first two songs are superb. whole thing is real good but i’m a sucker for singer songwriters. 7.5/10
3.8/5
Decent
Very pleasant and good. But on the other hand not particularly unique.
Good
In het algemeen krijg ik een beetje kromme tenen als ik de creatieve ideeën van singer-songwriters hoor. Deze man is echt heel toegankelijk met lekker relaxte pop-nummers. Het nummer "Babylon" is wereldberoemd, maar de andere nummers zijn ook heel lekker te luisteren. ***
Felt torn about rating this one because I do think David Gray has written a good set of songs here, and that isn't easy to pull off. But it is just so dreary to listen to. He should have sold the songs and have them turned into great pop hits by a songwriting team.
White Ladder is the fourth album by English folk singer-songwriter David Gray. At initial release the album failed to make a splash - except only in Ireland - and this is a result of Gray releasing it himself on his own small label. The album was re-released in 2000 by Dave Matthews' label which allowed it to chart at 69 before climbing to number 1 on the UK Albums Chart - a year after the re-release. White Ladder made an impact with this re-release - especially in the UK where it is one of the best-selling albums of all time - and it launched Gray into worldwide fame. It's surprising to see how successful this album was & is in Ireland specifically. The Irish really love this folk album and it's hard to blame them. They heard something in White Ladder that no one else was tuning into until around 3 years later. I can appreciate a good folk album and liked this album. It was relaxing, but not to the point of falling asleep, and it had the right amount of pop sprinkled in. Great album from a solo artist that did all the hard work himself to put out this piece of music.
Such a strong start but really falls off. 30 minutes would be the right length for this album, a tempo change at any point also wouldn’t have hurt.
Found this to be a little easy-listening for my taste. Nothing against it but nothing particularly stood out for me either.
Surprised how many songs I remembered from 90s radio. It’s definitely inoffensive 90s pop, he’s a good singer but everything else is pretty uninspired to me.
Folk inglés. Entretenido. Un 3.
Wow, gotta say, this album surprised me. I have to admit that when I read on this guy's wikipedia that he thought he paved the way for James Blunt to popular, my expectations couldn't have been lower. I guess because I hadn't actually heard of him (though, I definitely knew Babylon), I didn't really have any of the preconceived notions that tend to make me predisposed to not liking something before I've heard it. Another solid 3. Standouts: Please Forgive Me, Babylon, White Ladder, Sail Away
Good solid sound. Liked the progressive sounds
Album will probably get a lot of hate from others on here but it was honestly better than I was expecting. Feels like he was a typical singer/songwriter who began experimenting with some different sounds and it worked well. Not my cup of tea but solid for what it is.
Je reconnais des trucs et j’aime le rythme du texte et comment il chante. Je me suis tanné rapidement par contre. Le dernier tier de l’album m’a paru très long.
ok. not more,
Perfectly pleasant, low-key folk-pop. Good background music, like something you'd hear in a cafe ca. 2000. Nothing I'm likely to come back to, but I enjoyed it well enough. Fave Songs: Sail Away, Silver Lining, Nightblindness, This Year's Love, Babylon
Bland but pleasant.
Not bad for background music, a couple good songs. Mostly all sounded the same
Surprised I didn't know more of these songs. Good, though I didn't add anything to my favourites
Þessi plata hefur selst í 7 mil. eintaka, og ég hef bara heyrt þriðja mest spilaða lagið (Sail away), vel gert. Ljúft og vel pródúcerað, en mér finnst röddin ekkert spes. Má spilast í bakgrunni en ég mun ekki sækja í þetta. (sorrý @Ragnheidur80)
Heiiiii, ovo je dobar album, kinda cozy, kinda catchy, kinda nice. 3.5. u mojoj knjizi.
Strong opening, okay finish
Pop inglese, un po’ romantico, niente di che
A decent, but mostly uneventful album.
Relaxing acoustic-ish album. Nothing too special but I'd say it was pretty enjoyable. No song stands out in particular as a "hit", and nothing was that memorable, though it was nice to have on at work.
I was familiar with a couple of songs. I did not skip any songs. I am not sure I would listen to this album again in its entirety. Overall the album was alright.
First song is funky. I think I'm familiar with the song Babylon, I've heard it on the radio before. Has a certain familiarity to it, I've probably heard this somewhere as a kid, I've definitely shazamed this from the radio. I do think the singles released from this album are probably the best songs. Slow chill album, I liked please forgive me, babylon, and this years love.
Some nice easy listening tunes. Has a folk music sound, have to be in the right mood for that. Gets a little slow towards the end. Babylon is a song I’ve heard a lot before but never new the name/artist.
It was aight.
Overall, it has some enjoyable songs, but most of it was indistinct and boring.
Very chill album. It’s not my cup of tea and wouldn’t ever choose to listen to this over a lot of other albums but I’d respect you if you liked this. 3/5
The big singles were a nice trip down memory lane. Pleasant overall but didn’t hold my attention.
It is what it is. I enjoyed it and make no apologies for that.
Everyone had this album in the 00's. There are some nice songs on it. On the whole it's a bit boring though.
Baaaaabilooon
It's a nice cute album. Not exactly my type that much but I can appreciate it for what it is. Also the production is really good and sometimes feels like it's ahead of its time. Favourite songs are Please Forgive Me, We're Not Right, Nightblindness, This Year's Love (my fav), and Say Hello Wave Goodbye.
1998, четвертый сольник. Меланхоличные баллады. Не ужасно, но скучно и нудно. Лучший трек: Sail Away
kinda neat
Well, I thought that Babylon song was by Harry Nilsson and recorded in the 70s, so I guess that says something about the timelessness of the sound of this album.
Kind of bland, but surprised I had heard a few of these tracks before.
This is David Gray's fourth album and was a huge success. The album spent three years in the UK top 100 and is the best selling album ever in Ireland. Wow! Not bad for a singer-songwriter who recorded this in his apartment. I can see why it's included in this 1001 list, I guess. It's easy enough listening for me. Nothing making me want to jump immediately on Amazon to order the vinyl but nothing stopping me from appeciating this singer-song writer and well-crafted songs either. These songs are about some aspect of love, a relationship or a breakup. The music is more in the folk-pop style led by a piano and/or acoustic guitar. The drumming is slow and sometimes electronic. Gray said this album paved the way for folk-pop idols like Ed Sheeran and James Blunt. OK. Something tells me they might have been successful nonetheless. I do hear a vocal and music style similar in Amen Dunes which is something since he has some fantastic songs. There were five singles released from this album. "Babylon" and "Please Forgive Me" received very heavy air play in the US and are the two songs I thought of immediately when I saw this album pop up this morning. The album ends with the last three single- released songs "This Years' Love," "Sail Away," and "Say Hello Wave Goodbye." Of particular note, "Say Hello Wave Goodbye" is a nine minute cover of The Soft Cell song and maybe my favorite on the album. There is not really a drop off in the other songs as everything here is well crafted as previously mentioned. Overall, this was an enjoyable-enough listen if not lighting my pants on fire. What was lit on fire were the album sales charts which makes this album at the very least historical.
Kind of chill indie folk I guess. Nice, but nothing too special imo.
It's fine! I really liked Babylon. The rest of it is kinda... stripped synthpop folk, which isn't my thing, but I think i can see why other people love it.
ugggg.... maybe? 3?
Decent but didn't really capture my attention.
tecno folk no es mi estilo, pero es pasable.
David Gray is what Ryan Adams wants to be. I'm not really a fan of either, but it's remarkable how more talent there is on this album than on any of Adams' work. 3.5 stars
I really like David Gray, I know his voice is a bit Marmite but I actually would say I lean on the love side rather than the hate. I have some nostalgia with Babylon as I had a NOW album with that song on it haha! I also love This Year's Love too I think that's a bit of an epic and maybe slightly underrated love song and that's the climax of the album for me then it should have stopped there. Sail Away really falls flat after that high. But the rest of the album I've never listened to. I am fond of it but I don't have much attachment. I love the minor keys and the general sound of the album. I just wish I had more connection to it but I can't be arsed to push for that. Soz David.
Well I enjoyed relistening to some of the more well known ones from back in the day, have to say the rest of it wasn't that memorable and a bit beige. I don't care what anyone says though I do like Babalon. I had an acoustic version on my iPod that a boy sent me once on a skiing holiday, so I like it for that reason too
Like James Blunt without the bants. Guess it wasn't bad
Interesting, can see the influence it had.
Grew on me, but still felt like it should stay in the 90s.
Some nice, cool stuff. Loved the vibe of it all; I just wish it got more daring or exciting at times instead of playing it safe.
Not bad. Wasn't familiar with much of it. Quite liked his voice.
Not really a fan of this type of music but was pleasant enough. 2.6
An enjoyable listen. Nothing really jumps out and the songs are fine, but his vocals are rich and strong and overall a solid record.
Good album for a rainy day
Soft and easy listening. There wasn’t a song I absolutely LOVED so I’m going with a 3.5, rounding down to 3.
A joint effort between US and UK governments to wean people off of Tracy Chapman’s ‘Fast Car.’ 3.3.
This was good album to get in the post-spring break shitty period. Wistful romantic stuff and pretty decent
Pleasant.
A real soulful peace of work. Melancholic and cheery at once. Some great lyrics and hooks. Favourite Track - Please forgive me
Good enough
It's kind of boring for my taste
interesting
It's good, it's soft. It feels like something I wanna cook eggs and chill out on rainy day too. It's just simple. And i like that about it.
3, pleasant enough
Algumas músicas boas. This year's love a melhor, mas as duas começo assim, como a em sequência da principal são boas;
Nice album. Easy listening, mellow music. Enjoyable sound, nice vocals.
Really nice soothing sound. Thoroughly enjoyed even though nothing in here jumped out as exciting or innovative. Nothing much to say about it, but I did like the sound.
Enjoyable listening, but all of the tracks sounded the same
Very pop, though I confess to liking "Babylon". Inoffensive, but also doesn't really speak to me.
I wouldn’t call this anything special, but I will concede it makes for a pleasant afternoon’s soundtrack.
Very good.
I forgot about the song Babylon until being assigned this album. That's a great song. I also like the title track. I vibed with the rest, but didn't find it as memorable.
A haiku: Never heard of Gray, But knew a few of these songs, Was nice listening. 6/10
Not bad blue eyed soul
What an interesting album. Almost too easy listening in parts. Quite a voice though. Now, next track - synth or acoustic?
Not too bad, kinda sad soft rock vibes.
Not grand, not bad. Solid listen
I’m depressed
Top heavy
I didn't realize I actually knew the song Babylon already. Never knew who sang it, but have heard it millions of times on 90's radio. This was a pleasant Monday morning album to listen to while I caught up on my work. It kinda gave me Damien Rice vibes. But it's not one I'm going to return to, it's just not me.
gooey
I like David Grays sound but it is not something that I am searching out generally.
3.1 - great voice and layered with some catchy beats and hooks, but becomes a little respective, and weirdly saccharine despite the rather muted/down mood for the album as a whole.
This is better than I remember!
I remember this being on a lot my first year working in a record shop. I expected to hate it (I hated EVERYTHING back then) and while there's a lot of filler in there, the opening two tracks are both great, and the close is maudlin and lovely (and has given me a reason to hear Soft Cell, though admittedly as a cover this time). The music is pitched between Bob Dylan, and that sort of MOR chill out of the late 90s and early 00s, but not so offensively as to put me off it. It's not a mind blowing five star album, but was quite a nice nostalgic trip into a couple decades ago.
This album got monotonous for me in the middle and I had to take a break. So I don't know if it's that or if it's just a coincidence, but my favorite songs on this album are the first two and the last two: Please Forgive Me, Babylon, Sail Away, Say Hello Wave Goodbye.
Easy to listen to. Enjoyable. 3/5
Næs og kósí plata.
This one's pretty good, bit surprised not to have encountered it before tbh.
Really surprised to see that Babylon is not the most listened to track on this one. Very pleasant overall and 90's to the core. Not one I'd clamour to put on specifically but wouldn't switch off.
Really easy listening but honestly if anyone can tell where one song ends and another begins, you're doing better than me!
It was alright. Some songs were good but nothing amazing
Helt fin!
Pleasant
Trevligt att lyssna på men int mer än så.
A bit too dramatic for me. Some lyrics on the cheesy side such as Sail Away. Didn't hate it but won't put it on again.
Fine, but nothing special. I guess you had to be there.
I guess it's really very OK. It sounds very decent and it's easy to see how it may have inspired some current days popular musicians. But I just really can't get into it that much. Just nice background music for me and nothing more.
Yeah - listened to this a bit when it came out and was all over the UK radio. Sounds like a good pub singer who had the right sounds for the right time. good for a road trip.
7/10
Wasn’t bad, wasn’t amazing.
pretty good classic country album
Couple of really good songs on this album. Like the lyrics. Reminiscent of Dylan in a way.
I seem to remember hearing Babylon a few times. The album feels like one of those 90s singer / songwriter guys, like Jason Mraz or John Mayer. Listenable, but not memorable. Having said that, the last song on this album was WAY too long. I was expecting it to be like Phil Collins "We Said Hello Goodbye," and it went on for EIGHT MINUTES. OH MY GOD say GOODBYE already!
Recognized Bablyon, and it's still a pretty good song. The rest of the album was pretty good, but not typically my taste.
ok
Una buena voz para una colección de temas de corte sencillo. Minimalista. Íntimo. No suena mal, aunque no destaca especialmente
I dig it
It was alright many of the songs where cool and soft and the lyrics were romantic.
More of a unique success story than a musical masterpiece, White Ladder is known for being David Gray's self-financed album that managed to stay in the UK top 100 for almost three years straight. Big seller in Ireland too, hitting 20x platinum in it's first week. How does it hold up? It's nice singer/songwriter stuff from the 90's. Soft, sweet, and an easy listen. Some interesting production choices including electronic-geared drums. Good voice, good songs, good album.
Pretty bland post folk
‘White Ladder’ is basically a collection of accessible, well produced songs about love and loss with some electronic elements thrown into the mix. I particularly like the ‘tronic parts of this folktronica proposition, especially the heavy bass drums. I can see why people jumped on this when it came out.
3/5 eventually no.
chill indie rock that keeps you from completely chilling
White Ladder is a fine electronic music album. Too bad it did not age that well and sounds a bit dated. Combined with several songs of mediocre quality and no classics, I cannot consider this a must listen album for anyone.
Unashamedly bland, the clarion call of the middle class. The soundtrack to a million dinner parties. And while this is true it's better than you'd expect.
Decent, some nice tracks
Empecé pensando que qué aburrido y que era otro de esos discos que se habían colado a la lista por gusto personal de algún editor, pero en la segunda vuelta sí encontré varios detalles que me alcanzaron a gustar para llegar a la tercera (y casi cuarta) estrella. Además de la historia de como este disco que es casi casi casi para el olvido de pronto es uno de los más vendidos de la década del 2000 y como David Gray es casi el burro que tocó la flauta, la verdad es que su voz sí me agradó y por la fecha en la que hizo esto es definitivamente pionero en mezclar loops hechos en casa con guitarra y voz folk.
Quite good. Makes me feel peaceful
Plenty of heralded wit, I didn’t mind this. Reminded me of Gomez a bit
For the first few tracks, I thought this was pretty boring. And by the end of it, I still didn't think there was that much to it. But in fairness to the album, it kind of sucked me in - I went with the vibe of it, and the vibe is pretty strong. Cool combination of acoustic instrumentation and electronic production and mixing too - but basically, if you let this album take you along for the ride for 50 minutes, I think you'll have a good time
7,0/10 Legal
Loved a few songs for nostalgia reasons but I think they go downhill after the first 2.
Some (let's say 4) very good and celebrated songs. A famed Soft Cell cover version. I think the somewhat effected vocal style grates in the second half. The downbeat gentleness needs a boost. Not as good as people made out at the time.3 out of 5
Slow soft rock, easy listening and a decent album, List worthiness comes from influence